Decoding Automotive Car Battery Specifications

What Those Numbers on the Car Battery Mean:

 

DIN Series Car Battery Number 72310 1988

Used to identify battery types, the DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung, which translates to the German Institute for Standardization. The part number system is traditionally used within Europe, but has now been replaced by the ETN number system.
Example: 560.49
1st digit – Voltage
1–2 = 6 Volt Battery
5–7 = 12 Volt Battery
2nd & 3rd digits – Nominal capacity
560 = 60Ah @ 20 hour rate
660 = 160Ah @ 20 hour rate

4th & 5th digits – Unique performance code
References endurance, design features, and construction traits.

ETN Number

The ETN (European Type Number) was introduced to replace the DIN Number during Europeanisation of battery standards. It builds on DIN while adding deeper technical detail.
Example: 536 046 030
1st digit – Voltage
1–2 = 6V | 5–7 = 12V
2nd & 3rd digits – Capacity
560 = 60Ah | 660 = 160Ah
4th–6th digits – Unique code
Indicates endurance, vibration resistance, lid design, terminal type, and clamping configuration.
7th–9th digits – Cold Cranking Performance
Linked to EN1 or EN2 ratings.

Car Battery Cold cranking performance (Amps)

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) measures a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. Higher CCA = stronger starting power.

SAE (J537 Jun 1994 American Standard)

Battery at –18°C must deliver rated current for 30 seconds while staying above 7.2V.
Approximation: SAE = (DIN × 1.5) + 40

DIN (German Industrial Standard at –18°C)

At –18°C, the battery must hold ≥9.0V at 30 seconds and reach 6V after at least 150 seconds.
Approximation: DIN = (SAE – 40) × 0.66

IEC (IEC 60095-1 Nov 2006)

The IEC test involves staged discharge and rest periods with specific voltage thresholds at 10s, 30s, and final discharge stages.

EN (EN50342.1A1 Nov 2011 Item 5.3)

EN1 – 90 seconds total discharge test
EN2 – 150 seconds total discharge test
Relationship: EN2 = 0.85–0.92 × EN1

JIS (D5301: 1999)

Japanese test at –15°C using fixed loads (150A or 300A).

Marine cranking (MCA): Measured at 0°C. MCA/CA values are ~25% higher than SAE CCA.

Reserve capacity minutes: Time a battery can supply 25A at 25°C until voltage drops to 10.5V.

Ampere-hour capacity at 20 hour rate (Ah): Total stored charge. A 60Ah battery delivers 3A for 20 hours before dropping to 10.5V.

What are Battery Dimensions

Dimensions – length (mm): Longest outer dimension including hold-down.

Dimensions – width (mm): Widest outer measurement.

Dimensions – height (mm): Overall height including terminals.

Weight with acid (kg): Average operational weight of the battery.

Cell layout: Indicates internal cell and polarity orientation.

Terminal: Specifies terminal design type.

Container features: Hold-down shapes and casing design.

Handles: Shows if carrying handles are included.

End-venting: Some batteries vent gases through end ports for remote venting compliance.

State of battery charge indicator

 Built-in hydrometer-style visual charge indicator.

Lid features: Block – Recessed terminal design | Flat – Smooth lid | Raised plugs – Protruding vent caps

Semi-traction features: Supports partial cycling applications such as vehicles with tail-lifts.